portfolio

/pɔrtˌfoʊliˈoʊ/

/pɔtˈfʌʊliəʊ/

Other forms: portfolios

A portfolio is a large, flat briefcase used to hold papers and other loose materials, like maps or artwork. A portfolio is usually used to transport important documents, like examples of your graphic design work if you’re an artist.

The noun portfolio has its roots in the similarly-sounding Latin portafoglio “a case for carrying loose papers.” Notice, within that word, two other words — there’s porta, meaning “carry,” and foglio, meaning “sheet, leaf.” In English, think portable folio, or papers that can be carried. Also, portfolio can refer to the duties of a government official or the collection of investments held by a financial company.

Definitions of portfolio

1. noun

   a large, flat, thin case for carrying loose papers or drawings or maps; usually leather
   “he remembered her because she was carrying a large portfolio”

   type of:

   case

   a portable container for carrying several objects
2. noun

   a set of pieces of creative work collected to be shown to potential customers or employers
   “the artist had put together a portfolio of his work”

   “every actor has a portfolio of photographs”

   type of:

   set

   a group of things of the same kind that belong together and are so used
3. noun

   the role of the head of a government department
   “he holds the portfolio for foreign affairs”

   type of:

   function, office, part, role

   the actions and activities assigned to or required or expected of a person or group
4. noun

   a list of the financial assets held by an individual or a bank or other financial institution
   “they were disappointed by the poor returns on their stock portfolio”

   type of:

   list, listing

   a database containing an ordered array of items (names or topics)